Rufus Wainwright to return down under in 2025

Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has announced his return to Australia in 2025. On his first visit to our shores since 2019, Wainwright will play Fremantle Arts Centre on Saturday, January 4, before heading east for shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Brisbane.

Renowned for his mix of pop, rock, folk, and classical music, Wainwright will present stripped-back renditions of his most popular songs from the past decade, including Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk and Going to a Town.

Since his last Australian tour, Wainwright has released both Unfollow The Rules (2020) and his latest album, Folkocracy, released in 2023, which showcased his knack for blending genres through collaborations with John Legend, David Byrne, Chaka Khan and Brandi Carlile.

“I have always loved playing Australia. I love the country, the culture, nature and the people,” he said. “There is an appreciation and enthusiasm for music, which is hard to find anywhere in the world. Australia has some of the most beautiful venues. I love how warmly I am being welcomed in this amazing continent. I am sorry I cannot be there more often, so hopefully this time around we can really have a wonderful time together.”

With a career spanning more than two decades, Wainwright is a three-time GRAMMY nominee, has released eleven studio albums and worked alongside renowned artists like Elton John, Sting, Miley Cyrus, and Carly Rae Jepsen.

Rufus Wainwright plays Fremantle Arts Centre on Saturday, January 4, 2025. For tickets and more info, head to frontiertouring.com